Tommy's Haircut

 I found this about Chronic illness.

This Instagram Account Spreads Awareness About What People With Chronic Illnesses Go Through Every Day And Here Are 40 Of The Best Photos

Okay, on to post. I finally got Tommy to let me cut his hair. It was so nasty and greasy and long that I may have ruined the clippers.  He can no longer get into the tub, so must wash hair in sink. Yes, he washes whole body in sink. 

Finally, halfway through his haircut, I had him go wash his hair! It took over an hour to cut it because I would clip for three minutes and rest for ten. Then, he took off to the bathroom with my scissors, comb, and clippers. He used his trimmer and shaved off allll his sideburns. I was a little shocked. 

I was sitting with him in AFC and told him that if his hair was curly, he would look like Einstein. Tommy said the guy facing him and behind me laughed. He washed his hair, lets it sit after washing and drying with a towel. After that, the rat nests are somewhat permanent. 

He looks civilized now, not feral.

I don' really decorate for Thanksgiving. I do have pumpkins all over, not Jack 'o Lanterns. There is one turkey and autumn leaves. I don't remember if I had anything for the door. 

Today, we seared a pot roast and put it in the crockpot. It was so tender and delicious. We did not salt or pepper the roast. Tomorrow, most of it will be frozen in portions for one or two meals for both of us. 

Wednesday, tomorrow, starts the rewiring of the house. I hope all goes well. The cost is $10K less than the first. Plus, they have not lied to me. 

I should be in bed. We have no fall leaves, just green ones. I wonder when it will happen every year. Have the leaves turned where you live, and where do you live.

Death Valley and Cutting Hair

 These two topics have absolutely nothing to do with each other. 

I absolutely want to go to Death Valley to feel the record-breaking heat. Neither of us can drive that far. Tommy would fund it. I am ready to go, just need a driver. At least, there would be no humidity. Right? Have you ever been to Death Valley? Experienced heat so high? I/We would leave tomorrow. I want to take my picture by the thermometer...really, I want to experience the heat. 

Today, I managed to do one more thing on my 8-item list I made on Sunday. I cut Tommy's hair. He was worse than a two-year-old! We are laughing now, but it was bedlam earlier. But, I can no longer stomp around in frustration...lol. 

Since I am not going outside the cut his hair and no one is going to sweep hair from the kitchen floor, we worked on carpet. He got a sheet from the car and spread it out. Most of the sheet is back near his chair and not out front in a more open area to work. He assures me it will be okay. Okay, we will start.

Then, he got a towel to put around his shoulders, the thickest towel he has. Last time, he used the same towel and pulled it up around his neck where I could not see the bottom of his hair, much less get electric clippers in place to cut. AAAGH!!! He got all ready with a roll of towel around his hair. I told him to feel how his hair was covered up. So, he flipped his neck hair out like a woman or person with longer hair... but straight out. He thinks i can cut that way because his lady barber did. NOOOO!

So, this led to much screaming by both of us. He refused to use anything thinner. He swears that the barber uses a towel up close, yes, a thick, big towel. He says none of them use a drape like they use on women. I do not believe a word of this. And, he refused to just keep wearing the tshirt he was wearing. 

Then, he just threw the towel down and let the hair fall on him. Fine. So, I cut it, almost falling, almost passing out. It was easy but hard. He is fine with the length, one length all over. I put the trimmer too high on his neck and hate the way it looks but he says it is okay. Whew. He said it is too short on top. It is always too long or too short somewhere. He really likes the length of the sideburns. One time, I forgot to cut one side. I am not a professional, but I pretend to be one when I get scissors in my hand. 

Any haircut is better than him going back to his lady barber. Tommy is no way balding, just thinning hair. Yet, she makes a low part about a half inch above his ear with long hair combed up. He looks ridiculous when he makes a part, gets it wrong and he had three-inch hair hanging over his ear. He thought it looked fine and would not let me redo it. 

I asked him how it felt when I first finished. He said it was not so heavy. Then, later, he said he could "feel air blowing through my ears." His scalp and ears would burn now with no hair to protect them. 

He is in the kitchen making white sauce on his own. Usually, I get out the skillet, spatula, butter, flour, and milk, measuring it all. Today, I just sent him in. I am making a familiar casserole with new recipe I am making in my head. I just found him stirring in a skillet with a metal spoon...all this time. It is a pot that cannot take metal spoon stirring.

Both our casseroles have 1/2 cup of white sauce, 1/2 can of sodium free chicken soup, less than 1/2 cup of brown rice, onions, green beans, broccoli, dried parsley, and water. Mine will have cheese. These are two servings in each square, glass SnapLock dishes. I am using the whole package of frozen broccoli. It could be healthier, I suppose, but don't bother telling me. 

Well, he went rogue and put one of the casseroles is a glass dish with no Pam! Plus, it needed more water for the rice. So, that was sort of a redo for the one casserole that was mine. Plus, I needed to put cheese in before it was stirred. 

The reason I mixed these separately and baked in separate dishes is because he hates cheese in this and I want it.  The green beans I put in were left from two nights ago, the French Cut ones. 

He is a great help with cooking, but sometimes.....

I have never seen John Wick and I love Keanu Reeves. So, we are watching that tonight. 

Have you ever seen a large, thick bath towel in a barber shop? 

Don't they use the capes hairdressers use? 

Eating Almonds and Russetnorkotah

Eating almonds right now. I am not particularly fond of almonds, but I am eating them because they are here and they are good for me. Almonds are better than walnuts. I am not allergic to them as I am some other nuts. I prefer pecans. Any recipe I make, no matter what nut it calls for, I use pecans. Of course, I love cashews, but of course, I am allergic to cashews. So, pecans it is for me. I don't know why I am talking about nuts except I am eating these almonds.

Somehow, we cannot find the hair clippers I used enough to pay for them. Finally, yesterday, I bought a new pair and they were corded. So, those go back. Today, I bought a new pair for only $13--Wahl. I finally got to cutting his hair around 5 pm, way too late for me. He is throwing a hissy fit because I got it too short. No, it is longer. So, he says he will just keep going to the barber. Usually, it is so short that you can see his scalp through his hair around the back and his ears, too short in my opinion. 

Now, I used the 1-inch spacer. Usually, I use the 1/4-inch spacer. So, his hair looks and is fuller. I have no idea what comes over him! I think he is hungry. 

I forgot to have him trim my hair, but it is too late. He shook the sheet we had on the floor. And, my walker is back in the car. Maybe I will do it myself. 

I am not sure whether I mentioned it, but one good bogo at Publix was McCormick spices this week. Otherwise, the pickings are slim in the bargains. 

For dinner I am baking chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. When I am at a low point, it is nice to have the onion powder and garlic powder. We will have a salad with Romaine, carrots, Brussel sprouts, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, and other stuff which I cannot remember. We rarely use salt on these baked meat and vegetables. 

What did you have for dinner? What have you planned to cook the rest of the week? Have you ever had or heard of Russetnorkotah? 

Russetnorkotah--a potato. Why the name? What is up with this? Glad you asked. READ HERE.

Yardstick YAY!

 My yardstick came! It was in a box about a yard long by 11 inches by 3 inches. It was a mighty big box for a skinny, little yardstick. I think it cost me $5.88 for something I used to pick up for free. Tommy was impressed that it was such a nice, study one. I got the Westcott with brass ends. I have never had one with brass ends or so thick. The measures are on both sides. The free ones were thin and easily broken. Tommy said he had never used a yardstick, just felt it on his backside.

I am still amazed at the size of the box required to get me a piece of thin wood! I had nothing else to order that would have not required a larger box in the other two smaller dimensions. But, now I can measure. Ordinarily, I could make do with a measuring tape. But, difficulty with moving and reaching puts me at a disadvantage. Maybe you don't understand. 

Five inches came off the bottom of Tommy's hair! It was so long and grody looking, beyond shabby. And, he washes his hair about every two weeks, so I refuse to cut it unless it three days clean. We do it on the driveway because it is almost impossible to get to the back yard bit of concrete. We could get out, but with 87F and on concrete it must be 100F! I was suffering trying to get back into the house, only 10 ft to get to the ramp. Trying to crawl over or around the steps would be horrendous for both of us. You know how it was with being hot and exhausted and having one more Herculean task to complete and THEN having to get to front of house, and up the ramp. It is a long and arduous journey from backyard to living room....lol.

The last time I cut his hair, he told me I left it too long on the top. This time, he said I cut it too short! Just shoot me now! I did discover I had cut it with little hairs too long all over. So, I will fix that on Sunday. It was hard on my back to cut, bend, and move. 

When I had run the clippers up the back and one side of his head, he was saying how cool it was already. When I finished, he was happy that his hair was gone. 

Tonight, he is having the chicken, carrots, and potatoes I baked. He is enjoying all this with no salt! When I moved here, he would cover everything with salt. I will have potato salad, carrots, and chicken breast. I need to freeze packets of chicken, too, tonight. 

We aired up one tire tonight and topped off two others, all up to 32 psi. Okay, I have no idea why this is so large and bold. Maybe it will go away. Okay, got the bold to go away. Okay, I will just go with this larger font right now. Of course, it was an argument the whole way. Most of the time, he could not understand what I said and yelled at me for what he thought I said. Now, I still don't know how to use it on my own since I just plugged the unit into the power port in the car. But, I can guarantee this works well from our experience. I had gone out and found one tire half flat, only 18 psi when Tommy checked. Now, all tires are at 32 psi. 

We drove just a bit around the neighborhood because the car needed the battery charged more. I drove. It was starting to be sluggish when I started it. At the moment before dark, I came across little kids on bikes, three of them with the mother yelling and ordering them home. One little girl was actually staying at the curb and refused to pull out in front of us. So, mother went to her and escorted her across the road. That little girl was NOT coming in front of a car. I stopped far back for all our sakes. 

It gives me a good feeling to drive again. Every time I resume driving, even if for only a cruise around this small neighborhood my body and mind feel different. I wonder how. Freedom? It is good. Tommy could ride with me more often, but he can barely get his legs bent enough to get them inside the car. 

List:

cut hair

wash snaplock lids

wash clothes

take cans of food to Lynda

find yard sale

find deodorant

unload dishwasher

air tires

wash car

sort sweet potatoes

toss eggs

cook ground beef

buy spray bottle

dice 6 lbs. Vidalia onions

Understand that this list was made for the weekend and beyond. It was for Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. It is early Saturday night, so more will be done tonight and Sunday. It seemed like a lot as I added two items today, but I assured Tommy that not all had to be done, that this could go over to Sunday. I think he was relieved. Besides, I took a nap, so I cut out available time for chores. 

I am livid! Tommy came through the living room with the garbage can on his walker. He proudly told me he had the eggs in the trash bag. Nooooo! Why not? He assured me the bag with eggs in it was in the middle of all the other bags in the trash bag....??? Not sure why I care about that. I assured him there was a great chance the eggs would stink to high heaven. He is sure one plastic bag is the solution to not smelling. Well, he cannot open the bag, he said, because the bag is tied. As far as I am concerned, we can waste a bag! Anything works not to get flies. I will be spending lots of money on odor control and fly control this week, I fear. His defense--it is on the list. 

This is why I sometimes ask him what he is doing when I hear him in the kitchen. Right now, I am nervous about what he is up to. So, going to look. It will be weeks before I trust him not to screw around with something! 

So, the list is with him. I have him make my lists because I will be doing something and remember an item to list. He is well aware of things I need to do and people I need to call. After all our discussion of keeping the eggs cold, I guess he just hyper-focused on tossing eggs. 

And, at midnight he just offered to go chop and cook the ground beef. I had him add the Vidalia onions I chopped yesterday. I always go in and get ground meat out so he will not dribble blood all over. The other day, he was telling me the meat thawed. Later, I found blood on the stove where he had sorted by removing from bloody container. He cannot be trusted around raw meat!

Do you have someone who is just not careful or aware about handling raw meat? I have seen him wipe a dribble of blood from his hand onto a dishtowel I am going to use again. Does it scare you like it does me? 

I do recommend this device for adding air to tires. It says it is also for toys and things to be inflated.

Haircut Day

 Now, our only job is to clean out the living room so the recliners can be put in here. I suppose the guys will take away the old recliners. Hope so. The rest is piled and cluttered, a mess. 

I called and finally found someone who would prescribe the lift for a recliner! And, medicare won't reimburse La Z Boy because they are too expensive. I have to get it from a medical supply for help. When I told Tommy, he said he was not going to all that trouble to save $250. Well, we are going to look and test. 

For two years I have asked at various places that sell equipment for the handicapped/disabled where I could get a recliner/lift through medicare. Not one person would tell me, claiming they did not know of any place! I have been told I could not sit in one to try it out, just order it. Not true! I will see if anyone has what they call a "zero gravity" chair, one that raises my feet above my heart, is minus that head pillow, and that the seat is deeper. 

Finally, today, Tommy let me cut his hair. I must have cut five or more inches off. We both have trouble getting through the carport to the back yard, so we do everything in front of the house. It looks tacky, like we are yahoos, but it is the only thing we can do without pain and maybe falling. I sort of got it to short and crooked on the back on one side. Just don't look there. I look over at him and I am amazed. 

When we were in the front yard, he exclaimed he could feel the sun on his neck and ears. I told him the sun was shining. He said his neck and ears had been covered for so long. He was amazed that he could feel the sun. I laughed. 

He washed a load of clothes for me, separating the things I hang into three bags--nightgowns, panties, and the white sheet of crepe back satin I use in the car. Usually, he just stuffs things in willy nilly. Of course, then he went back for the things he dried--my towels and washcloths. I cannot believe he has become so organized, something I did not ever expect. I just hang them up however he brings things in. 

He does not want me to wash his clothes or to mingle them...lol. He puts everything he needs to wash in one load every two weeks. So, he does and I don't argue. 

This fall, I intend to buy something upon which to hang clothing in a bedroom and just dry my towels and washcloths on there, too. That way, he does not have to stand in the weather to sort things for the dryer and then go back in the weather again. Also, I won't have to hang things on the door facings in the hall. I am tired of it! Tired! 

Last night, I asked Tommy was he going to get rid of the love seat I sit on. He said he  might as well. This is one of those very cheapo pieces of furniture and over 20 years old, broken down and nasty. His last girlfriend gave it to him when she moved because she could not get it on the truck. Her dog used it as she pleased, and Tommy has smoke in here until I came here. It is just nasty to me even though it still looks pretty good. 

He said he really hates there will be no other place for a person to sit when we get rid of his recliner, the one he refused to let me use, and the love seat. Well, no one else can sit in her anyway. He does not know it, but I am going to a consignment shop to find chairs. I like movable chairs instead of massive ones not meant to be moved about. This won't be my idea of a stylish makeover, but anything is better than it is now. baby steps baby steps

We went out today so I could get bananas and milk at Publix. At The Pig I found mixes for $0.48, two pumpkin spice cupcake mixes and a apple cider cupcake mix. Since I don't have cupcake papers and don't want to wash the pan, I just put the mixes in the pan and make a sort of cake in a tiny rectangular glass pan. It works. For the apple cider mix, I will chop two apples of some sort. 

Since I need to cook dinner, I think I will let Tommy clean the razor with oil and a tiny brush. Dinner will be Stovetop Stuffing with three small breasts in it, very meat-rich. I will put in the chicken, low sodium mushroom soup, egg, celery, dried cranberries or Craisins, and green beans. There are other vegetables to cook, maybe sweet potatoes. But, the sweet potatoes will not go in the Stovetop mixture. I am going to cook the breasts and celery together with sage. My mouth is watering. This plan may change right now because I am soo tired.

August 5th Birthdays

 My father was born in 1916. He would  be 105 today! However, I have heard it was 1915. My brother was born on Daddy's birthday. Mama had a C section, so I thought she had requested the date. She told me she never even mentioned it was Daddy's birthday because she wanted the decision on surgery date made by the doctor so she would not feel responsible if anything went wrong. Wise woman.  

She let the four of us older children choose his name. We loved Anthony but did not like Tony for a nickname which eventually he would surely be called. So, we searched until we found something we liked to put with Anthony. We liked Mark, so ended up with Mark Anthony. I was only thirteen-years-old, so was not thinking Shakespeare or anything, obviously. Mama later said she was on pain killers and the name sounded familiar in her fog. 

I saw a sight today that I have never seen as long and as closely as I have been watching these hummingbirds--one pooped as it was sitting at the feeder. Now, I wonder if the ground is covered with hummingbird poop underneath the feeder! I do stand on the landing on the ramp where it makes a turn when I remove and replace the feeders. And, the feeders are over the grass. So, maybe I won't step in it where they all poop. 

Mealtimes have been good with scrambled eggs ready to eat and sliced chicken breast. For one thing--I don't have to think about what to eat or cook. And, on a day like today when somehow I hurt my knee again, it is just physically easier. 

Tommy cut my hair late this afternoon. It looks great. He only cut off about 3/4 inch, but that was split ends. The hair from my crown is almost to the length of my hair in the back. I don't need my hair all one length, so I suppose I need to layer it. Layering my hard is hard on my shoulders, but the look is worth the pain. And, I don't have to layer it so often. 

I have an appointment with a new doctor on Friday morning. A new doctor is always stress-inducing for me. At least I am going to a doctor where there is no stress getting a wheelchair and someone to push me.

Tired and Rambling

I have been so tired and not sleeping well at all. Okay, I can sleep for hours during the day. But, at night I am wide awake even if I do not take a nap. I suppose I should give in and become a vampire. 

Everyday, I tell Tommy he needs to come and help me get frozen meat from the freezer. He is sort of a spotter in case of an avalanche. I usually throw my body at the freezer and stop the chunks from falling and hitting my feet or skittering across the floor. 

Finally, tonight, he helped me. I did sit on a five gallon bucket and get stuff from my upright freezer. So, no chest stopping the meat. I found a package of frozen thighs, a turkey breast, and a package of Italian Sausages. Then, I looked more closely and found I had a chicken and not a turkey breast. Oh well. 

I will cook the chicken in a cooking bag along with the thighs. After we have our first meal, he will remove all the meat from the bones. He will like this for lunch sandwiches or to put on a salad. Then, I can check more carefully and find a turkey breast. I know I must have one in one of the freezers. 

Tuesday afternoon, I bought an expensive package of boneless, skinless breast instead of buying KFC. That package worked for lunch and for dinner tonight as well as dinner last night. So, now that more meat is thawing, there will be no temptation at all for eating out. 

We are slowly getting a zillion cans of food that are five years old from his dining room, all stashed in a huge box! I go around and behind the table and pick up one can at a time and he stands on the other side of a barrier of food and stuff and takes each can and puts it in a bag for discarding in the garbage. Some of the cans are ready to explode, others have leaked, all in pretty bad shape. Before I got the floor lamp to use, there was no way to see what was there! 

Items back there that he forbade me to discard, he is now amenable to losing as he says he does not care. How many ice cream buckets that are 20 years old does one need?

So, I have done things, just not much in the way of fun activities, which is not to say life is boring or mundane. The glue in my eye dissipated, so that is one worry off my mind and out of my eye. I resumed reading The Bird Way now. 

Everyday, I call two places trying to get rid of this covid haircut! They must have plenty of customers since they never answer the phone. 

Everyday, I look for a package.  Finally, I cancelled the order. I had ordered a hummingbird feeder for Tommy and an ant guard. I will find one somewhere else. The neighbors must wonder what I am up to when I look outside every few minutes for days. I will make the feed to go into the feeder instead of buying the poisonous red liquid. Tommy does not know what I have been waiting to receive. 

Does anyone have a hummingbird feeder? Got any good stories or advice? 

Haircut, Lamp, Blanket

 It's a good thing I got my mail from the PO box on Tuesday. It was stuffed full! While I was at the PO, I bought stamps because the rates are going up in August. Tommy keeps getting a stamp from me, which is fine by me. But, I decided to get stamps with his cc for him while I bought two books of flowers for me. His stamps are Star Wars robots. I was torn between the flags or Star Wars. He laughed a bit as he thoroughly examined the robots. He said starts or Star Wars did not make a difference. I had been using Christmas stamps, so now I can save them for Christmas. 

We drove 182 miles. I needed an ultrasound, so went to a place that is friendliest and most caring place I have ever had an MRI. The ultrasound tech did not disappoint. Since this facility always gives a $10 gas card, the cost is somewhat mitigated. This is the place that has snacks and cold Cokes for customers. 

While I was going so far, I was going to take an antique lamp to be rewired. BUT, I forgot to put it in the car. I will take two or three lamps next time and maybe make the trip to pick them up. The guy rewires while people shop or take care of other business, so not sure how this will all play out. I love a good lamp shop. Looking at lamps makes me heady. I do not need a meal or a drink, just lamps. 

My lot is still there...lol...and in same condition. I feel well when there, relaxed. 

My friend building a home cut me four squares of plywood to use in the salvaged chairs I found for Tommy. So, that is one cost I (he) won't have to put into free chairs from a junk heap. He may have to pay to have them cut to size. 

The best thing that happened was that I thought to remember to find a telephone number for a hair stylist. He worked with my favorite stylist who quit cutting hair after a thumb joint replacement. I had gone to her for at least 25 years. As she quit, I ended up here, and then Covid hit. So, I really need to find him, someone I trust.

The mail brought me a wool blanket I ordered from ebay. It is vintage. Hopefully, it is 100 percent wool. Tommy thinks it feels rough. I think it feels cuddly.  

I came home exhausted with swollen feet that hurt. So, I did my marching exercise for one minute only because the bottom of my foot hurt. After I put shoes on, I "marched" another five minutes. Eventually, the swelling lessened enough I could walk without pain. 

Hope of a good haircut, a working lamp, and a cuddly blanket--what more could a girl want?!

Last night, I slept well and long. For that I am grateful! 

Will you buy Forever stamps before the price goes up AGAIN?

Stupid Frugal Purchase

 Bananas are at the top of the grocery list most days I go to the store. Actually, bananas were the only thing on the list today. I wanted to go to a store I rarely shop. As I went in, I glanced in the reduced cart where I saw Community Coffee, 12 oz. bags for $1.50.  The catch? It was about 2 weeks past the best by date. I called Tommy who was in the car and he said to get it. So, I did, 3 bags. 

It was whole bean, not ground! I have no coffee grinder, nor does he! I had a nice KitchenAid, and want another. 

Then, I came to bananas. There was a five-pound bag for $1. Yes, I got it. They look pretty good, not many black spots. Slaw mix and pasta shells were the only other things I brought home. 

I can barely tell my shoulder was sore. At this point I am still petting it along a bit. Tommy said he could tell it really hurt me. I can now turn my head. 

Today, we play barber shop in the driveway. Tommy's hair looks like a hippie's. While there is nothing wrong with that, he is not the hippie type. So, he procrastinated! A haircut is on the agenda for tomorrow.

Dinner tonight will be leftover baked chicken and carrots along with cabbage that is cooking.

Have you gone back to your hairdresser and shop for a haircut yet? 

No Energy

 Wednesday was a not-so-good day. I slept little the night before, rested in bed once during the day and then napped. I ate a pb, MW, banana sandwich around 11 am. Dinner was baked chicken, salad with Italian mix, tomatoes, and carrots. Later I had a Coke and chocolate ice cream float. Then an apple. We went for a short drive and that was all I did besides use laptop and watch TV.

My energy is at the bottom. I have no new thoughts about anything. My only goal is to get to a doctor. 

Thursday, I had a long rest in bed and then a long nap in the afternoon. Once again, dinner was baked chicken and a salad. Dinner was delicious. We packaged the pedal exercise machine for a return pickup on Friday morning. That is my one accomplishment for the day! 

Oh, I did get up in the middle of the night and started cutting on my hair. What a mess I made of my hair.

Friday, Tommy finished cutting the length on my hair. I have not looked to see the result. I had cut the bangs and around my face and the length of the sides. 

Several days ago, I injured my foot and can barely put my weight on my heel on the right foot. I was limping and started making both feet hurt. So, I have gone back to putting my weight on the right foot/heel. I started wearing my sandals in the house and it seems like it hurts less since the shoe sole is thick. 

After reading on the internet, I realized my allergist might be the best doctor to treat the ear shingles. So, I called him this week and he called today. After hearing my story of a horrid reaction to tetanus vaccine when I was twenty and the fact my two-year-old daughter had the same reaction three years later, he decided that my vaccine would be best administered in his office, what I thought, too. I don't know how we got sidetracked. 

Then, I told him the story of months long problems that have been diagnosed as shingles of the ear. He prescribed an antiviral for me. So, I have it and cannot decide if I wait for a symptom or just take it now. In a bit I will call pharmacy. Of course, the ear started hurting one day after I finished the antibiotics. I worry what is wrong with my ear. 

I mentioned someone told me about ears and hiccuping. He said that ear problems could cause hiccups. 

On Saturday we are rising at 6 am to get to a store for a return so we won't be amongst people with something we might catch. Okay, let's see if that happens. It was my idea, but I am not sure how I will feel about it at 6 am. 

Update on the haircut. I washed it and let it dry. It may not be a good haircut, but it looks 100% better. 

For Friday dinner I am going to put potato wedges in the Concord spices and olive oil along with carrots, onions, grape tomatoes, and meatballs. I cannot wait to have dinner. Oh, the meatballs will just go in the pan but not in the olive oil and spices. I might even put the tomatoes in the pan for only the last 15 minutes. 

It just occurred to me that I was dealing with three things at once last year--shingles in ear, abscessed last upper molar on same side, and an ear infection. Seriously, I was in bad shape at that time. And, the shingles was at least a six-month ordeal last year. 

No Nap Tuesday and Garden Thoughts

 Tuesday is a red-letter day. I still feel awful and did not sleep well, but not once have a felt the need for a nap. Of course, I have done nothing, either. 

In a few minutes I will start dinner. We are having more of the chicken quarters that I served last night along with Brussels sprouts, and potatoes baked with the Concord herb mix.  I think I will have a salad--Italian mix with tomatoes.  I had no more frozen Brussels sprouts. I had thrown in lots of baby carrots in the oil and herb mixture. So, It is chicken, potatoes, carrots and tomatoes. 

Since being tired is my only symptom, I went to Publix for 2 bogo grape tomatoes, one 3/$10 salad mix, $0.99 for 1 lb baby carrots and bought two bags, coffee for Tommy, and ice cream because it was there and bogo. I only got one ice cream and two tomatoes. Oh, we went to the bread store, too.  

When we arrived home, I was not totally exhausted like I usually am, not even tired at all. 

I had had to cancel dentist appointment and cleaning this week, missed getting mail last week, and other appointments. We are rescheduling lunch in the park with Tommy's cousin and my other appointments. 

Tommy's appointment is in April and 50 miles away. My doctor has not gotten confirmation of when he is getting Moderna, but still expects to get the shipment. ???

We are returning to the general decluttering and cleaning around here. There is nothing around here but fun and games. We have the box of clothes hangers still, waiting to donate to a person or group.  

Kim from Out My Window suggested the hiccups were related to shingles. According to nih.gov, yes, hiccups is related to shingles! As a matter of fact, every last symptom I have can be related to shingles! 

If I can handle the activity, I will be cutting my hair and Tommy's today. But, I may need a nap before noon. My phone was on all night and two calls woke me. I hate the sound of the phone when I am asleep or trying to go to sleep.

Wednesday will definitely be a nap day. 

How are your garden preps going? Mine are still in my head but I need to check the cabbage growing and get out my seeds.

Haircut and Fabric

Thursday evening, we went to the yard and I cut Tommy's hair. This is a man whose usual haircut has most of the hair about 1/4" to 1/2" long, except for right on the top. Well, I cut 3 inches from his hair.

I cut the length from the bottom all around and he sighed and said he was cooler already. He said he had been so hot lately. Hair on his neck is so uncomfortable. Thankfully, my hair has grown to where it is not on my neck. But, I am not getting it cut. 

I hold the hair and cut, dropping lumps of hair. I know I should hold the hair and cut it, but after cutting, I`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` throw down the hair. Unfortunately, I managed to cut it at the bottom of the ramp, right where we will step in it going to and from the house and car. This ought to be fun after walking it into the house.

His hair is a light gray and fine. As I cut it and dropped the clumps, it looked like soft kitten hair. He did not think so. 

He always swore I would never cut his hair. Now, he welcomes it. Are you cutting anyone's hair due to the virus? Your own?

Today, I bought the fabric that is reported the best for masks--polyester spandex chiffon. I have a bit of fabric to use for the outer mask. I have some of the pads that were given to me that are for use under a bedridden person to catch urine. No, I was not given these because I am incontinent. At any rate, if they will hold a puddle, surely they will stop something smaller. Now that I have all the materials, I need to make masks by hand or get the machine up and running. 

Dinner on Wednesday was chicken breast and mixed vegetables for Tommy. I ate the chicken and something. I try not to eat canned vegetables, but that is what they are for, so they won't hurt us to eat once in a while. There was tomato that Tommy refuses to eat. He says they are too soft. So, I will blanch and peel and put in some sort of sauce. Spaghetti?

Maybe one of the squash plants is dying. I am not sure why. Remember, the squash plants were maybe four inches high and cost a quarter apiece.

Tonight, part of a turkey breast from last year, sweet potato, and broccoli are on the menu.  

Does anyone know of a fabric store anywhere near Birmingham besides Walmart or Joann's? I may have to go far away to buy fabric since this Joann's does not want to help me.

The List, Decluttering, and More List

Okay, the list is still here and not done. I did do some things. None of this is due to needing something to do or because of social isolation. It just needs to be done in a timely manner instead of procrastinating or forgetting about the task. Original list:

*Repair earrings and convert others to clip on done for one conversion 

*File taxes online with Tommy's help

*strip bed, put on full cover with zipper

*put fitted pad on bed along with sheets

*wash and dry pink comforter 

*restring yellow bracelet with elastic line for bracelets

*put my machine in its cabinet

*make new bra

*convert jumpsuit to pants I cut it apart, top from bottom

*put pockets in two pair of pants

* cut my hair done

* cut Tommy's hair done

More list I made the next day:

Set up printer

boil eggs done for last three in a carton

bake pan of sweet potatoes done-- 20

call Amazon

wash quart jars to store sugar and flour

put shelves together

renew laptop security done

I know, not much was done in a week. However, my hair is not so stringy, I have another pair of earrings to wear, and I know the pants will work, and Tommy's hair is not so long. And, we had cooked at home meals mostly all week. 

In my defense, not that I need defending, I decluttered a lot by the seat and two tables near me, finding things I wondered about and things I had forgotten about. I found my hair scissors which were where I thought but lying on the edge and almost invisible. 

There is never a pen when I need one. I brought a white cup onto the table where I lay them down. Now, I have found 9 pens, the Sharpie, and a dozen twist ties that go into the kitchen. In this cup I keep the two new Sharpies I just bought, a dozen fast food straws until I can take them to the kitchen, and my seam ripper for now.

My hair is too short!!! I put color on Tuesday, so Wednesday it will look better but not longer. UGH! Thankfully, i got the bangs just right, not too short like i have done several times before. Okay, my hair after color looks really ridiculous. I would be very upset and probably cry if I paid a professional for this cut. Tommy said it looks okay. But, it is not okay with me. Well, I am not a hairdresser; this was free! It will take a month to look halfway like what I want.

I went to cardiologist armed with reports from ER and two other doctors. Now, I need a CT of heart. sigh. I had to call repeatedly to get appointment like ER wanted, but not in 3 days. It took 13 days. There was only one nurse, doctor, and office manager.

There was no valet service at the hospital. I had to call main number and security was sent to wheel me inside. There was a table manned by a woman who questioned me and took my temperature. The halls were empty. It was eerie.

Yesterday started off as a beautiful day, then changed to heavily overcast skies s we drove further north. Finally, a glorious blue skies and pretty white clouds shone all day.  The last time we drove north on the interstate, the deciduous trees were still brown. Yesterday, the rolling hills showed solid green, making the view spectacular and hopeful.

This and That

Miracle Workers
  Dark Ages

It appears this is the second season of a series. Do you watch it? Have you? I am absolutely fascinated. I hear last season was Heaven. I think they saved everyone, not sure. Do you know?

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Even though I have no drawers here, I do have a "junk drawer."  I was getting a collection of non-paper items on the end table as I looked through paper stuff, tossing or filing. Tommy got a little gift bag with things in it from the dentist. I started using that for small items that need to be put away. Or given away. Well, some will remain in my "junk drawer."

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Don't you think that a bowl of Dove in the shape of a heart would be a good thing to take to a dinner at church?

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Tonight, I put a huge package of boneless, skinless breasts  in the oven to go with all the vegetables I cooked yesterday.  I love leftovers!`

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I hacked off a lot of my hair today.

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The right elbow may be getting better, but I cannot imagine what I did to make it hurt and swell so.

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There is Modern Family on from 7 to 12 pm. Tommy has never laughed so loud as he does at this show. And, I had to beg to watch it at first.

Oh, This Is Good

Friday afternoon, Tommy cut my hair an inch. He was adamant he would not, but softened. I wanted the length right, so I trusted him more than a beautician I did not know.

Friday night, I told Tommy to wake me when he woke on Saturday morning. He said he had to get things ready and then wake me since it was a long way down the hall. I tried to sleep, but daylight came before I could sleep. I cam to the living room when I saw his light go on. It was 6:15...ugh! I got on the computer for a few minutes after I turned the heat to 70 F.

I washed a few dishes and happened to spy something under the little table in the kitchen and got it out. It was one of the glass sugar containers with the little flip lid that allows sugar to pour out when the container is tipped. It was pretty grungy and the sugar looked yellowish. The lid had a chunk of something on it. Yuck.

When I first talked to Tommy, he was either still groggy, hung over, or suffering low blood sugar...lol. His blood sugar was low. There was no use mentioning it since he was going to eat cereal with milk. I just went about what I had to do.

I bought the sugar container with two fingers and asked him, "What is this?" He muddled around, trying to talk. You know how someone who has had too much to drink talks and tries to hold their head right and gesticulates? Well, he sort of waved his hands around in a manner unnatural for him.

Oh, that is forty years old. What is it? "Oh, that sugar is forty years old. I tell you what--just throw away any of that crap you find in the kitchen. Just throw it out." He kept saying this over and over. "That sugar is over forty years old."

Okay, I have permission to throw out "all the crap I find in the kitchen." I will do it slowly in case he objects. Tonight, I asked him if he remembered what I brought in this morning. He has no clue. Happy Dance here.

So, Saturday morning I washed my hair after I washed dishes. Then, I boiled six eggs had banana, milk, and a boiled egg.

We left about 7:30 Saturday morning, headed to Cullman. My hair dried on the way as I fluffed it. He wanted sausage/biscuit and coffee from BK. I hate BK sausage. But, it was cheaper than Hardee' biscuit sausage. Then, he stopped and got me one from Hardees.

We drove north of Cullman to a food bank I had not been to since August, just after my house was destroyed. The woman jumped up and exclaimed, "You have lost weight! 30 pounds?" Wow, my clothes were not fitting, but it was good to hear this. I was on top of the world since showed. The weight loss showed. I got there too late for milk. We did get things I can use, including potatoes I was going to get this week.

Then, we went to PO--no mail. We drove to my house--so sad and happy to be there. He had to stop at a business that always has a clean bathroom so I could go. Then, we went south of town. I had gotten an invitation that seemed like a good idea.

On to an event held for "Homeless or Needy."

First, a free haircut for both of us. There was a volunteer beautician cutting hair. We had blood sugar and blood pressure taken. Both were high for both of us. Well, a stranger cut my hair, enough to put my blood pressure over the top. My blood sugar was barely elevated. Tommy's blood sugar and blood pressure were very high. Tommy really needed a haircut since he had it cut around the middle of September.

Then, we received a blanket, hat, and gloves. The gloves were the little short ones that look like a five-year-old would wear them. And, we got a hat. Tommy turned down hat and gloves. My hat that I chose was the kind with the pigtails/braids on each side. A friend wanted one, so I got two hats and gave back the hat and gloves with my blanket I chose. Atually, I chose a quilt and picked out a navy blue blanket for Tommy.

There was a clothes closet upstairs. They recognized Tommy could not go up there and volunteered to bring clothes to him. He got a windbreaker, pants, and sweatshirt. The pants were two inches too long. He told me he would wear them like they were.

They, they brought clothes to me after I told them my size. She suggested I might wear a smaller size since I had lost weight. Okay. I was given a brand new with tags still on it sweat pants, a cute blouse, and a coat. I still do not know if the coat fits, but it looks like it might.

During all this waiting for Thanksgiving lunch to be served, a little girl came and offered us two more blankets. I told her we had already gotten two and taken them to the car. She said, "Well, now you have two more." We thanked her and put them on a chair near us. We figured an adult would take them back since the little girl might not supposed to be giving us things. We ate the largest dinner I have ever received on Thanksgiving--lots of turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, dressing with gravy, two deviled eggs, mixed vegetables, crowder peas, green beans, corn muffin, huge delicious roll. We had a choice of soft drinks, all diet. Tommy got some drink. I got water. We both had dessert--chocolate pie for me and coconut cake for him. We were stuffed!

He gave me a deviled egg and dropped the next, gave me his white turkey. I gave him the mixed vegetable, brown meat, and corn muffin. We always give to each other the food we don't care for. THEN, they brought out saucers with two rolls, corn muffin, and deviled eggs. Of course, I had a roll, deviled egg, and Tommy had another corn muffin.

As we got ready to leave, a guy who said he would come back and help us get things to the car. He insisted we get another blanket! His daughter came to me and said, "This one is Christmas blanket. I picked it just for you." Sweet little thing beamed. I smiled broadly, matching her charming smile. I love the little throw. Some of these blankets were full-sized.

There were gallon bags of goodies--water, crackers, wipes, Dove soap and body wash, toothbrush and toothpaste, candy, gum, things a homeless person might need. I cannot name all that was in the bags, but all was useful. There were two kinds of bags, one with food stuff and another with personal care and non-edible items. Oh, each had Vienna sausage. I am going to give all we will not eat or use to a place that gives these things to recovering drug addicts. Well, I may meet someone who needs it and give it to that person.

We ended up with six gallon bags of stuff, plus the clothing. The sanctuary was converted into a dining area. The room was almost filled. They asked volunteers to stand around the room, so guests could receive a plate first. I counted seventeen guests. there were at least 40 volunteers. That is why we were given three of everything. We did receive six blankets.

We got home in time for Tommy to watch a game he wanted to watch. I took a nap. Neither of us were really that hungry. So, when I got up from my nap, we had a hot dog for dinner. Later, we will have fruit.

All in all, it was a good day. Now, I need to get a piece of chocolate I received today.

A Few Things

I slept late today, and then slept more. Tommy has resisted trimming the length from my hair. Yesterday, he sort of agreed to it. Today, I sat on my walker with him behind me. I gave him a pick and hair-cutting scissors. He was supposed to cut an inch or less. It appears he did and my hair is none the worse for letting him get near it with scissors.

He mentioned he was going to get his prescriptions about five minutes before he wanted to go. I changed pants and put on a jacket. He went to a drive-in window, so no shopping for me. Then, I remembered that Dasani water was on sale somewhere. He said at the Pig or another place. We went to the Pig first and he was right. So, I shopped a bit.

3 24-packs Dasani water @ $3.40
1 Domino confectioners sugar 1@ $0.88
2 Domino dark brown sugar @ $0.88
1 Campbell's cream of mushroom soup $0.88
1 3-0z. McCormick black pepper $2.95
1 Mayfield ice cream sandwich $2.50
1 Uncle Al's Stage Planks $0.24

I spent $24 after they added their 10% and tax. I am holding out for sales this next week and the next.

These may not be the cheapest prices on things after I add the 10% to each item. However, the prices are well below prices in other stores. I can decide if I got a good deal when I see the coming sale prices. Anyway, it's done. I did not have to fight crowds or search for a sold out product.
There are still-packaged half gallon Ball jars I need to wash and fill with the sugars. What I do is stick the inner bags into the jar along with one flattened cardboard box from the product, well most of the box. I do not want a half-gallon jar with any loose sugar in it. Well, I don't mind cane sugar in the jar. I still do not have sugar.

Now that I have brown sugar and cinnamon, I am going to cut up Granny Smith apples and make a pie. Tommy will love that. Oh, I just asked him, and he said only three were left. Well, I can bake those.

Ugh! I need to prepare dinner. I found hotdog buns in the freezer, so I bought hotdogs. We are having hotdogs and the salad mix. Still, I would rather do something else. The first episode of Big Bang is on, so I will wait a few minutes. Buns and salad mix were free. I bought tomatoes that I added to the salad and the hotdogs, original recipe Zeigler with no chicken.

There is so much food here that I sent with him over the months. There is lots of meat and two pounds of butter that I could not store in my freezer. The only met I have bought is the two pork loins, but they were a good price at the Pig. So, we have not needed meat or butter yet. I also found few cans of peaches. He loves peaches. So, do I.

I am still swerving about, dizzy and feeling foolish. Hopefully, I will find out at the doctor's appointment next Monday. But, I have to be very careful rising or turning my head. Lying down makes me dizzy too, but I am in no danger of falling. Well, I did almost fall off the bed last night due to the bed spinning.

Pepper has been given to me that I cannot tolerate. Even with McCormick black pepper, I must have someone else fill a pepper shaker for me. I don't ever spill it, but the scent and stuff that obviously wafts into the air are not fun to breathe.

Have you found the items I bought any cheaper this year? Does any hint of pepper bother you?

Sunday Free Breakfast

Today was the breakfast at church for November birthdays. I took Breakfast Bread from Publix. It is a dark bread, not sweet, filled with fruits and nuts. The fruit is not densely packed like fruitcake. Tommy has refused to even try it at my house. I could not believe my eyes when he got a piece. THEN, he took scrambled eggs! he hates eggs!!! He tried to explain his way out of it,

Do you remember when he was cutting 1/2 off my hair and showed me three inch pieces? Well, it occurred to me today that he was not being contrary. His blood sugar was low. He was not seeming to understand that the three inches of hair were NOT a half inch. What scares me is that he went straight to his car and drove home. We had planned the hair trimming so that he would only have to go down the steps once.

Today, I have not had vertigo once. I have had to be creative with my limited wardrobe. A black pair of pants goes a long way with different blouses and some colorful sweaters. I wore black pants that are supposed to be short, just too short for a cold-weather look. I bought a knee-length sweater and a grey and white short sleeve blouse. I hate the blouse. It has a collar with band like men's dress shirts. I must get rid of that band. I wore the black sandals with knee highs. It worked.

Yesterday, I bought things that had to go back today. We did that. I cannot find Crest toothpaste that is not either whitening or mint. When I shopped in Publix, I forgot to look. Tommy's yucky off-brand will have to do for a few days more. I really hate mint toothpaste!

I kept seeing paper plates on sale and mentioning them. Tommy said we did not need them or just ignored me. Okay, we ran out for two days and I bought more full-price. I think he was holding off until I got my check. Well, that will backfire in a big way. I buy things on sale before I need them. He waits until he has run out and then buys at full price. However, he did ask me several times if I found candy corn on sale. I did. hmmm

Yesterday, the little plastic tub for the sink was too large. So, today, I got a smaller one. NOW, I can soak some of these dirty dishes from the refrigerator and wash them. I did manage to get one pot or cookie-type sheet washed, one a day.

I shopped the Halloween markdowns. Now, I have ten dishtowels I only paid $.44 for each. They have little flowers on them, so not so Halloween-like. No wonder they were left.

Do you shop the Halloween markdowns?